There's no streak or stripe in sight.
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Fakes Nails
Makeup brushes can, in our experience, incite unnecessary levels of panic and anxiety. Why are there so many? Do I need all of them? Have I been doing my makeup all wrong? Maybe this ocean of brush options for a single product application is exactly the reason why the ever so simple makeup sponge became popular. And although we are indeed fans of the mighty sponge, it’s a foundation brush we turn to when we want precise, even, and blendable coverage.
Trouble is, foundation is not a forgiving friend and choosing the wrong brush to apply it only leads to chaos. Further complicating matters, foundation brushes are not cheap, and no one wants to go buy a bunch of brushes just to discover that they don’t work for you.
We’re here to help: We spoke to three celebrity makeup artists to help us cut through the noise and select 24 of the most popular foundation brushes to test on our own skin with our own makeup, judging each one for its design and durability, along with the bristle quality, including how easily and smoothly it blended our foundation on our skin without over-absorbing the product and wasting it, and lastly, the quality of the overall final look after each application.
What We Love: Between the brush’s curved head and densely packed bristles, we covered a lot of ground without using too much product, lending this brush versatility for our blushes and bronzers, too.
What We Don’t Love: We saw a few, very subtle streak marks upon the initial application.
We become gleeful whenever we spy Saie’s trademark lavender-hued logo and lithe typeface, and once again the editor-loved and Real Housewife-approved brand didn’t leave us wanting. It was easy to wrap our fingers around the chubby handle as we stamped and stippled out our liquid foundation with the densely packed bristles, which picked up product with ease and deposited every last drop onto our skin — no clumpy bristles from left-behind product here. Despite using our favorite semi-sheer foundation for no makeup-makeup days, we were excited to see that the bristles picked up enough foundation to hide things that the it normally wouldn’t, like our brightest acne scars, taking the coverage up a notch from light to a more moderate base with just a few swipes.
Moreover, the slightly rounded brush head seemed to move with our skin and blended the light liquid foundation evenly across the curves of our forehead, cheeks, and chin, rather than simply slathering the product in one flat layer across our face. Occasionally, we did see some stripy marks when we got lazy and didn’t take time to fully blend the product into our skin with the brush, but we mainly have ourselves to blame for that bit.
And though it was small, the brush was quite mighty — we did everything but stomp on it with steel-toed boots, and still it remained intact. Considering this alongside its compact size, we’d say the brush will make an ace of a travel partner as well.
Head Shape: Round | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Buildable coverage
What We Love: The large, round dome head and tightly packed bristles were just the right duo for pushing foundation into our skin without leaving behind smudge marks.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not the most durable option we tested.
We’ll admit that the E.l.f blending brush was a bit of a sleeper hit until we learned that the large round head and thick handle made the perfect buffing brush for sheer to light coverage. These design features allowed us to expertly make those small circles required when you want to blend the product into the skin for a diffused finish, rather than smearing the product across it. Finally, no longer did our foundation look like a bowl of Moose Tracks.
Although not everyone will love the lush round brush head or the airy feel of the bristles (versus a firm touch), we were surprised by how much we enjoyed using it, especially when we wanted coverage that made our complexion look utterly flawless. Plus, it did the job faster than any other brush we tested, since the large brush head was able to cover a lot of real estate at once. This brush is now the first one we’ll pick up when we’re rushing to get out the door.
One thing to keep in mind is that this brush is here for a good time, not a long time. After one use we already noticed it lost a few bristles and saw chips of paint flaking off the handle, but hey we’re always down to have an affordable option that gets the job done in our arsenal.
Head Shape: Dome, tapered | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Buildable coverage
What We Love: The ergonomic brush design and airy bristles forbid a heavy-handed application so you get the perfect amount of coverage that never looks cakey.
What We Don’t Love: Since the bristles aren’t as densely packed, this brush is best for light to moderate coverage.
In the same way that Charlotte Tilbury’s skin tints give our redness-prone complexions a natural glow or the body lotions that make our skin feel soft again, this aptly-coined Magic Complexion Brush worked like, well magic. This time, it’s the simple design and soft natural bristles on the Complexion Brush that has us raving.
Unlike most other foundation brushes, this one from Charlotte Tilbury has a looser, fluffier-feeling brush head that isn’t quite as densely packed. This surprising feature, along with the plush bristles, required a buffing technique rather than a painted-on approach, and it glided across large areas of our face easily, giving us a totally natural, diffused base.
Not only did the bristles feel like a dream against our skin, but they also held the liquid foundation well, as we didn’t notice too much product sinking down into the base. We recommend this brush especially for those who prefer a light-handed application and a second-skin like finish. Keep in mind that it may require some patience to perfect a full-coverage or high-drama finish using it.
Head Shape: Round | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Buildable coverage
What We Love: The impenetrable bristles forbid liquid formula from seeping into the brush and instead they applied just the right amount of product with each brush stroke.
What We Don’t Love: The brush was easy to clean, but took a while to fully dry.
Liquid foundation is a finicky friend. On a good day, our skin glows with a smooth, balanced wash of color primed for blushes, bronzers, and powder. On the flip side, a bad day leaves a complexion riddled with streaks and stamp marks. However, we’re very happy to share that we never had a bad foundation day using the Laura Mercier Foundation Brush. From the soft, gentle bristles to the slanted brush head design, we liked every feature this option offered.
Despite the smaller size of the brush head, our routine didn’t take us any longer than it normally would with a larger brush head, simply because it gave our complexion a smooth, uniform appearance right from the start. There weren’t any streaks that we needed to keep blending or a thinner spot that needed more product to make the coverage look flush. Although the bristles felt so silky and smooth that we wouldn’t have minded more buffing or blending, especially since these lush bristles also meant that our skin surface remained irritation-free. We also need to give credit to the triangular brush head that careened around our curves and crevices like a Formula 1 race car driver. And, we’re confident that when it comes time for contouring the sharp angle will make drawing those sharp, supermodel-like shadows easier than ever. Gigi Hadid cheekbones, anyone?
One of our favorite features is the way the bristles picked up the foundation and held it there without allowing the liquid formula to become prisoners between the hairs. It seemed to distribute just the right amount of product, saving us from scraping goopy layers of foundation off. All in all, if the branded-label hadn't worn off the brush so easily the brush would be flawless, but considering this didn’t impact its effectiveness we’ll let it slide.
Head Shape: Angled | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Full coverage, contouring
What We Love: The brush’s brilliance extends beyond its appealing rose gold colorway — the shape and size of its head worked miracles to stipple over large pores without emphasizing their texture.
What We Don’t Love: We had to use some muscle to rinse out all the foundation caught between tightly packed bristles.
Those of us with large pores are all too familiar with the dread that comes with applying foundation and just hoping for the best with crossed fingers. Large pores dot our T-zone and the area surrounding our nose, and sometimes trying to cover them feels like a losing battle as we watch our foundation slip into the abyss of our pores. After chatting with a few pros for this story, we learned the proper technique to blur their appearance for a more refined-looking texture — starting with the right brush, like this large, fluffy brush from Real Techniques that was designed specifically with uneven texture in mind.
To make pores disappear, we used this round top brush to lightly buff product onto our skin and into our pores — it sounds counter-intuitive, but by “filling” them, you’re reducing the amount that will slide into the crevice, ensuring your base looks good for longer. Choosing the right brush is crucial to cover (and not accentuate) large pores and by using a light hand to make small circular buffing motions, the wide, round-shaped brush delivered a seamless, diffused finish.
We found that the bristles were spaced far enough apart to deposit just the right amount of liquid foundation over our textured skin (too much foundation is the kiss of death), yet there wasn’t so much air between them that they absorbed the product. It’s a good thing, too, considering that bristles clumped together when we cleaned it, meaning if there were mountains of foundations in the bristles, it would’ve been hard to scrub out.
Similar to the TikTok-adored concealer brush, it also featured a stunning rose gold finish we couldn’t stop admiring. For such an affordable price, it holds up against some more luxe options in looks and efficacy.
Head Shape: Dome | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Medium to full coverage
What We Love: Luxe, sleek, and elegant, the pliable bristles help foundation glide over fine lines and textured skin.
What We Don’t Love: The bristles clumped a little after cleaning.
Cle de Peau knows how to take a seemingly simple product, like our favorite makeup remover wipes, and breathe an air of luxury into it. Limber like a ballerina, the gold-accented, sleek tapered brush handle lent it an artistic appearance that simply felt more grown-up and we loved using it each morning. Featuring an old-school tapered brush head, the pointed tip allowed us to easily reach tight corners of our face, particularly the inner corners of our eyes and creases around our nose.
Although the bristles were densely packed, giving the brush a full, lush appearance, they were very soft and just flexible enough while still providing the moderately firm-feeling application we needed to get the lighter coverage we wanted. What’s more, thanks to these bendy bristles, they move in the direction of our creases and crepey areas of skin, instead of catching on these textured areas and emphasizing their appearance. We were also happy that the full brush head prevented too much of our liquid foundation from sinking down into the base.
Since Clé de Peau worked alongside highly esteemed Kumano brush artisans to design the brush, we aren’t surprised it was difficult for us to find fault in it, except for that some of the bristles clumped after cleaning it. However, a top-notch brush deserves an equally excellent cleaner, so next time we’ll consider treating it to a rinsing from one of our favorite electric brush cleaners.
Head Shape: Angled | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Full coverage
What We Love: This bronzed beauty features cushiony bristles that gently deposit foundation without feeling scratchy or irritating on our sensitive skin.
What We Don’t Love: Some of the foundation tended to get trapped between the bristles.
After being scarred (almost literally) in the past by scratchy brush bristles that rub abrasively against our sensitive skin, there’s a good reason we sometimes prefer using our fingertips. However, when we don’t want to make a mess, the next best, arguably better option, is to take advantage of the Hourglass Glow Foundation Brush's slim angled shape and lightweight handle. In fact, we’ve tested this very product against all types of brushes and it stood out then just as it does now.
One of our biggest concerns with makeup brushes is the level of control it offers because, with one errant swipe, you’ll get a cakey finish that can only be fixed by washing it off. But here, we found that this brush, with its thick handle for a tight grip, gave us the same level of control as when we splodge foundation on with our digits.
Because of this ingenious design, even though the bristles were a little more loosely packed and tended to soak up product, requiring us to apply several layers of product to our face to achieve fuller coverage, our final look never appeared too heavy. At first, we did notice a few light streaks with our initial application, but after going back over those spots, we were able to buff them, leaving us with a final look that made our skin look even and natural.
But our favorite part about this brush are the impossibly soft bristles; normally we feel anxiety bubbling up when we need to do a second sweep for additional coverage or go over an area to blend because it irritates our skin, but these were so gentle and silky that not only did we enjoy using it full top, but we didn’t experience any of the redness that sometimes sneaks through when going in with another layer.
The only area where the bristles are lacking is that some of the liquid products we used clumped between the bristle hairs, so we’ll be extra diligent when it comes to cleaning the tool.
Head Shape: Angled | Brush Material: Synthetic vegan fibers | Designed for: Buildable coverage
What We Love: The flat-topped head made for an easy and even application that hid our imperfections and when we needed a bit more product to cover an emerging zit, we used it to dab on instead of a concealer brush.
What We Don’t Love: Since the bristles are jam-packed, we had to rub the brush head a bit more aggressively when cleaning to get it all out.
In our never-ending quest to banish flakes from our skin forever, we try to set ourselves up for cake-free success by slathering the richest moisturizers onto our skin before using foundation (we love this one from Ilia), but it wasn’t until we tried the It Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top that we finally got the natural-looking finish of dreams.
Although flat-topped brushes can be intimidating to beginners due to their unique design, this one was a cinch to use. We only needed a few swipes to cover our whole face so evenly and fully that we didn’t even need to go back over any streaky spots (because there were none) or add another layer of coverage. Additionally, the flexible, lightweight bristles maneuvered easily around our nose and cheeks and felt so lovely on our skin that we even buffed the foundation over our eyelids — which we never do — to get a good base for eyeshadow. Not once did it aggravate our irritation-prone skin
As a bonus, we could comfortably hold onto the hourglass-shaped handle and perform the same kind of quick, dynamic gestures as a well-trained orchestra conductor when applying our makeup to achieve our gorgeous finish that much faster.
Although the brush head held a little more of the foundation than we would have liked, it wasn’t too extreme to cause concern or make us think twice about using it again since enough product was still being applied — and looked so good.
Head Shape: Flat | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Buildable coverage
What We Love: We were able to utilize the long, narrow brush head to work in light layers and create buildable, natural-looking coverage.
What We Don’t Love: The bristles clumped together when we washed the brush.
Sometimes, simplicity works best, and this Morphe brush is a prime example. With basic, but very well constructed, features, we used this brush to paint foundation onto our faces like a paintbrush to canvas. Long, lightweight bristles paired with a flat, firm brush head made for an extremely easy and effortless full-coverage application that still looked natural.
For us, the key for mastering a full-coverage style that looks gorgeous, not overdone, is to slowly add light layers until you achieve the opacity you want. This way, we’re camouflaging our acne scars, redness, and discoloration, not emphasizing them. We were thrilled to finally nail this technique with this Morphe brush, as we used long, thin strokes to layer foundation brick by brick, creating one even coat on top of the other for a skin-mimicking, full-coverage finish.
Although it took a few tries to become acquainted with the handle (it was longer than the ones we’re used to working with), once we got the hang of it, this brush basically did all the work for us as the long, lean bristles blended the foundation into our skin quickly — even around tight spots, including our nose and chin, that tend to require more caution — with minimal waste.
Though the bristles came out a little clumpy after a rinse under water, since this brush performed so well and is affordable compared to the others we tested, it's a lot easier to forgive this one flaw.
Head Shape: Oval | Brush Material: Synthetic | Designed for: Full coverage
What We Love: Switching between blending and buffing techniques was a snap, thanks to the easy-to-grip tapered handle and dual-ended design.
What We Don’t Love: Some of the foundation stained the bristles, but this didn’t seem to affect the brush’s effectiveness.
Makeup brushes are notoriously pricey products, and admittedly much less fun to purchase than the actual makeup itself, so we hipped and hoorayed that the E.l.f. Complexion Duo Brush outperformed some of the more expensive options we tried. Its unique design of the tapered handle is hands-down the hero feature. The thin midsection allowed for a strong, controlled grip, while the fatter end, near the brush head, provided a slight pressure that worked exceptionally well when buffing the serum-like foundation into our skin.
Additionally, the handle is also dual-ended with a thoughtful ergonomic design so we could dexterously flip from sweeping foundation across our forehead and cheeks with the large brush end to honing in with the small-bristled end to reach tight spaces around our nose. These user-friendly features meant that we finished our final look in no time (although by the appearance of our near-flawless skin, you would’ve thought we spent hours perfecting our makeup). Additionally, the spaced-apart bristles blended the liquid foundation in sheer layers, so while coverage was initially light, we were able to quickly build up to a full-coverage look thanks to the round head shape which was optimal for picking up the product and distributing it in smooth, even coats.
Given the affordable price tag, it was a delightful surprise that the synthetic bristles felt soft and featherlight as they brushed across our skin. And though they still had enough density to prevent too much liquid from seeping deep into the fibers, we did notice the foundation stained them even after we scrubbed and scrubbed. However, taking into account the helpful features, we still think it’s a great value.
Head Shape: Dome (both ends) | Brush Material: Synthetic vegan fibers | Designed for: Buildable coverage, concealing
What We Love: The incredibly soft tapered bristles blended foundation seamlessly into hard-to-reach places.
What We Don’t Love: These bristles like to hold onto product.
We couldn’t stop raving about the cat paw shape of the Sephora Collection #7 Foundation Brush. Combined with its tapered bristles it became one of the closest options we tested that felt near-identical to applying foundation with our fingertips. They nestled nicely into the smaller areas of our face and helped to seamlessly blend around tricky areas, like between our jawline and neck. Instead of moving product around on top of our skin, a few taps of this brush against our skin proved it could melt liquid foundation right into our complexion.
However, the flatter head was fantastic when we spread long layers across areas such as our forehead or around our cheeks. Although the densely packed bristles held onto a little more product than we would’ve liked, instead of immediately transferring the foundation to our skin, we still were able to reach full, even coverage fairly fast.
Additionally, though we used a liquid foundation formula when testing the brush we believe the moldable bristles have the right amount of density to work with all kinds of powders and creams, giving this brush ultimate versatility and potential. Still, we’d probably stick to using it with creams because the liquid foundation we used stuck a little more than we’d like to these bristles.
Head Shape: Tapered, dome | Brush Material: Synthetic vegan fibers | Designed For: Medium coverage
To find the best foundation brushes around, we spent dozens of hours researching the most popular options; we also chatted with celebrity makeup artists for guidance on what makes a truly excellent foundation brush. Next, we conducted a test in our New York City-based Lab where each InStyle editor applied foundation with the same technique and evaluated key features, including the feel of the bristles, the level of comfort and control the handle offered, and the degree of coverage it provided. We also considered how easy it was to clean each brush and if any bristles shed in the process.The foundation brushes that earned our top scores are featured on this list.
There’s a good reason why every brush on this list features synthetic bristles. As celebrity makeup artist Olivia Barad explains, “natural bristles absorb liquids or creams, which means that you will end up wasting a lot of product.” On the other hand, synthetic bristles hold the product near the top of the head so that the full amount of foundation is applied to your skin.
Natural bristles also tend to wear quicker over time and become too dry and scratchy to use on sensitive skin, adds celebrity makeup artist Jasmine Adetunji. Depending on the brush synthetic bristles can be just as soft and less abrasive, than natural bristles, making them ideal irritation-prone skin. Even more affordable options, such as the E.l.f Cosmetics Ultimate Blending Brush touts the same (if not better!) plush synthetic bristles as pricier picks.
Still, that’s not to say that natural bristles don’t have their time and place, adds Barad, who notes that this lightweight material is perfect for sweeping on powder formulas.
Foundation brushes typically have four types of head shapes — flat, dome, round, and tapered — and there’s a place and space for each one. A flat or dome-shaped foundation brush head, according to Barad, works best for liquid and cream formulas (rather than a tapered or oval shape) because they’re better at pushing the product into the skin for a full-coverage finish.
Autumne West, the National Beauty Director at Nordstrom, says “I prefer a flat foundation brush and use the tip to blend under the eyes and around the nose, and the flat side for forehead, cheeks and chin.” We loved utilizing the Morphe M707 Oval Foundation Brush’s narrow head shape.
Alternatively, a better technique for applying powder is using tapered brushes to layer the products gently onto the skin, says Barad.
All three pros recommend a brush with jam-packed bristles, especially if you want a full coverage look. “These bristles won’t allow the product, whether it be liquid or powder foundation, to move to the base of the bristles,” says Adetunji, adding that this will ensure an even distribution.
For sheer or lighter coverage, a round or dome-shaped brush with loose, bendy bristles works best, says Adetunji. She adds that brushes with more spaced-apart bristles are best for skin tints, lighter coverage foundations, and for using a powder foundation to set a liquid formula in place. You don’t have to save this brush type solely for powders, however, as West says, “A natural look versus a full-coverage finish is mostly dependent on the amount and type of foundation you use, versus the actual brush, but if you want a more sheer finish with a liquid foundation, I suggest using a loose, powder brush to give you that look.”
This depends on the type of foundation you’re using. Generally, says Barad, you’d use the same technique for a liquid or cream foundation, starting with placing a small amount on the back of your hand and “stippling it onto skin gradually” in order to build coverage. “I like to work in thin layers for a more flawless look to make the skin look as natural as possible and add more layers to areas that require more coverage,” she adds.
Barad says that she primarily only uses powder foundations if she’s “working on skin that requires full coverage,” in which case she’ll layer a powder foundation over a liquid one. In this instance, Barad always uses a “press and roll” technique. She says, “I never swipe powder across the skin because it causes the liquids and creams underneath to move, causing you to lose the coverage you’ve built.”
Additionally, Adetunji also recommends applying powder foundations after any liquid products and using a loosely packed bristled brush to work in light layers over your other makeup. “If you want to maximize the coverage, or use the powder foundation on its own, you can use a buffer brush, which is large and flat, but a little denser than a powder brush,” she says.
“A flat top or domed brush would definitely work better for liquid and cream formulas than tapered or oval varieties because they are more efficient at really working a product into the skin, which is not really how you want to approach powder,” says Barad.
West also explains that “while a flat foundation brush can help you layer on product and pat it in, I personally like an angled and full foundation brush, like the Hourglass Ambient Foundation Brush for applying and blending, because it is condensed which is helpful to apply with, but it has a soft texture to buff or sheer out the finish.”
However, our experts agree that with the right technique, any brush can work for a liquid formula. “There are no set rules,” says West. “Sometimes I’ll use a loose brush made for powders to apply my liquid foundation for a sheer look.”
Cleaning your foundation brushes is essential, otherwise, you’re inviting bacteria and grime to clog your pores. It’s good to give brushes you use regularly, like foundation brushes, a thorough rinse at least once a week. You don’t need anything fancy to get the job done, according to our pros, just warm water and antibacterial, fragrance-free soap should do the trick.
If regular soap doesn’t appeal to you or if you splurged on a brush and want to be extra gentle with it, West recommends the Bobbi Brown Brush Cleaner, and you’ll always lay them flat to dry so they retain their shape.
During the summer months, you’ll want to clean more often because sweat is now in the mix, and for times when your social calendar is packed with event after event, Barad suggests spritzing them with a spray cleaner so you don’t have to let them dry overnight (and they’re never fully dry after just one night). Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner is Barad’s favorite: “It kills all bacteria and leaves a pleasant vanilla smell afterward.”
Did you notice the InStyle Picks seal of approval at the top of this story? That means our team of testers has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it's really worth your time, money, and attention. We may get samples for free to try but we never promise positive (or any!) coverage in exchange. Put simply: InStyle Picks are products we love, and we've put them to the test to be sure you will too.
Acrylicnails Irene Richardson is a writer covering fashion and beauty for InStyle and other publications. For this story, she compiled insights from our in-house testers, read dozens of online reviews, and rounded up our top picks. She also spoke with highly sought-after makeup artist Olivia Barad, Nordstrom’s National Beauty Director Autumne West, and beauty and lifestyle content creator Jasmine Adetunji.